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I found this petition via the wonderful Niteowl mailing list:

If you've ever read my thoughts on free (as in freedom), libre, open source software and hardware, and their inherent superiority to anything closed source, you might I think wouldn't sign such a petition.

But, I did sign that petition. I actually use the f.lux software in Linux, and I really do love it - even though f.lux is closed source (as far as I know), and f.lux currently has what looks to me like a very non-libre EULA, for which reasons I can't wholeheartedly recommend f.lux.

I don't know if f.lux really helps my sleep issues at all, but, it makes my screen more relaxing to look at, so I use it a lot. And I actually use it during the day too, just because I like how it looks, and not in an effort to influence my sleep schedule, because I've pretty much given up on even trying to be normal. :-)

Of course, I didn't just sign the petition. I also added the below comment. :-)

Which didn't take very long to write and could probably use some more editing/perfecting/clarifying - but, here it is anyway. Can't edit it now, because it's a quote, and I don't think the petition site lets you edit your posts, though I see it lets you delete or upvote posts. I wonder if there's a way to link directly to my comment?

OK, here's my comment:

I love f.lux, though for many reasons, I would love it a lot more if it were libre, open source software.

I'd love to be able to modify f.lux to run constantly instead of shutting itself off every x hours. And, I'd like not having to put in false longitudes to make f.lux in Linux work at whatever odd time I happen to be awake, due to my possible Non-24-hour Sleep-Wake Disorder.

I also wish iPhones and iPads were libre, open source platforms instead of closed source.

But, I still think it would be nice for f.lux to be on iPhones and iPads.

There are so many reasons why libre, open source things are inherently superior to closed source things, I think someday the world's businesses are going to have to totally embrace libre, open source software and hardware just so they can remain competitive. Otherwise, many companies will find their closed source products utterly surpassed by vastly superior, free (as in freedom), libre, open source software and hardware.

Software and hardware which doesn't invade our privacy and do various other nasty things behind our backs.

Software and hardware which respects people's rights to have full control over our own property, including people's rights to repair the things we own, use, and depend on, so we don't have to helplessly beg some big uncaring corporation (and maybe also pay them a fortune) to fix everything for us.

Hardware which isn't built using overworked, underpaid labor in atrocious employment conditions in foreign countries.

Here's an informative page about Apple: https://stallman.org/apple.html

But despite those problems, and the many other problems with anything closed source - it would still be nice to have f.lux on iPhones and iPads. :-)

And, when the day finally comes when there will be some really polished, easy and comfortable to use free (as in freedom), libre, open source alternatives to iPhones and iPads - it would be nice to have f.lux on those alternatives too.

(Actually, maybe there already are some really nice libre tablets and phones? I just don't know because I'm not really into gadgets, mostly for lack of money.)

I hope you enjoyed my little speech. :-D Thanks for reading.

End of quote.

Just thought I'd post that here, to make it more visible than it will be after the petition gets probably thousands more signatures.

As I write this, the petition already has 1,960 signatures.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I'd like to be able to optionally turn off f.lux's slow fade in/fade out effect, and have f.lux turn on instantly instead.

It also would be cool to be able to choose different colors to tint my entire screen with. Or how about rainbow colors? :-) Or other colorful gradients.

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